I now understand how to use [Virtual Body].

Just as I’m about to retract the virtual body and the Orichalcum Armor set I have equipped, I realize there’s an even more dangerous side to this skill.

It can put items back into the Collection Box without my physical body having to touch them.

That makes it possible to create a virtual body far away from me to retrieve my items.

…Well, the virtual body can only be, at the most, about thirty meters away from me. However, that means I can freely put items in and take them out of my collection box at thirty meters, which is a really useful skill!

So…

I can’t think of a way to get in.

No, isn’t it impossible? The front gate is a security trap and the wall that surrounds it is too high. Even if I jump up the wall, I can’t reach the top stone. There’s no way I can force my way through the front either.

I’m out for a walk to get breakfast and see if I can think of something.

I have no choice but to walk with a group of cats because I don’t have the energy to send them away.

I went to the restaurant I am getting to know and asked for a small amount of food to fill my stomach. I suddenly thought of going to the restaurant with the secret basement.

I have a little hope that they are strategizing a way to save their friends…but with the way things went yesterday, it’s hopeless…

I’d be happy if they could cooperate with me, but I can’t even talk to them in the first place…and I definitely can’t explain my situation to them.

While I was thinking about that, I arrived at the store I was talking about.

I tell the surrounding cats to wait outside and enter the store by myself.

…I’m casually entering as if I were a human, but a bunch of strays coming into the restaurant would be unhygienic…This world doesn’t really care much about that, so it’s safe…No, if someone gets food poisoning, they’ll go out of business, wouldn’t they? I’m sure anyone would agree.

The entrance is open, but maybe the place isn’t open yet because there are no people in the seats and it’s quiet.

In the back of the store—the sound of cutting something and the delicious smell of food coming from the kitchen makes me hungry, even if it is just after breakfast.

I peek into the kitchen and one of the guys that was in the basement yesterday, Deal, is moving around busily, mixing soup, pounding meat and preparing other things.

I watch him work for a little while.

Come to think of it, I’ve never seen a restaurant kitchen at work…

I can’t help but be silently fascinated by the fluidity of the work and the small, delicate techniques being used.

As if the work had settled down, he stopped, let out a sigh and took a sip of what seemed to be sake. 

Suddenly, he noticed me peeking in from the kitchen entrance.

No, what!? I was in a daze and he found me!? I’m so stupid!!!?

“Oh, you’re a cute customer aren’t you? Unfortunately, I haven’t finished making the food yet.”

As he says that, he kneels down and strokes my body.

I wonder if it’s okay for a chef to touch an animal in the middle of a cooking session…I’m sure he’ll wash his hands afterwards. I’m not going to take any responsibility if you’re upset that there is cat hair in your food today, you know.

Well, anyway.

Is this the smell of spices? It was a delicious smelling hand. I’d like to lick it a little, to be honest…Sorry, that’s a lie, I don’t want to lick it a little, I want to lick it a lot.

As a human, no, as a man, licking another man’s hand would be out of line in many ways. As you can see, I’m not a human right now, so…

“Mii.”

I let out  a little cry to show my hunger.

“Are you here for Yuri, by any chance? I get a lot of customers like that.”

“Myah.”

No, not at all. I’m hungry because you smell so good.

“Ah, so that was it after all?”

…The fatal flaw with not being able to talk…

As my heart sinks, Deal’s face also becomes very gloomy.

“But…It’s a shame isn’t it? Yuri might not come back to the store anymore.”

“Mi…”

You’re not going to save her after all…

“Ehh, I’m very sorry too…but I have no choice…”

I don’t think that I’m imagining it. It sounds like…Are you trying to convince yourself that you don’t have a choice?

I make a sad face.

He takes his hand away from me, opens the cupboard and takes out a small bottle of green liquid.

He shakes it a little and stares at the liquid, then lets out a self-mocking laugh.

“…Even if Yuri had this with her, it’s not like she could do anything about it.”

As he’s about to put the vial back in the cupboard a voice calls out, “Hey, is it done yet?”. It seems someone has arrived.

“Yeah, it’s good.”

Deal’s face and voice switch to customer service mode as he places the vial on the desk and heads out to the dining room.

I have been left behind.

…What is in that small bottle?

I’m not sure if that will help me get through my current situation or not.

I can’t help but check it out though. I’m curious.

It can’t touch items unless they have been in the Collection Box, so Virtual Body can’t do anything about this. I have no choice but to equip the Orichalcum Gauntlet with one hand and touch it again.

…Hmm? It can’t put it in the Collection Box?

Maybe I have to touch the things I put in the Collection Box for the first time?

The floating gauntlet brings the small bottle down to my eye level.

…It has a surprisingly surreal picture on it…If a child saw this, they would cry and run away…

Before anyone sees, I quickly touch the bottle to put it in the Collection Box.

“[Green Potion Lv.2]

Category: Material

Size: Small

Rarity: E

Quantity: 1/30”

“Bonus to physical abilities has been added due to the collection of new items (Effect: minor)”

This is a recovery potion, right?

“The color of the potion changes depending on its effectiveness and use.

Green Potions have the effect of restoring wounds and strength, however, the effect is low.

If it is used to synthesize medicine, the strength is weak and it will be the lowest grade.

It can be used to flavor food.”

I see.

Is that what he was talking about earlier?

Even if I were caught and got hurt, it would be better to have a potion on me…Is this something I can use for that?

…This would be useful for something, right? I’m a complete thief to take it at this point, but hopefully he’ll overlook it if I use it to help his companion.

It seems customers have started flowing into the store, so I leave against the flow.

I join the cats waiting for me in front of the store and head towards the demon mansion for the time being.

I haven’t come up with a method of intrusion, but let’s think about it after looking at the area.

It took us about half an hour to get there.

It would’ve been faster if it were just me, but I had my entourage with me.

Okay, I’ve made it here…what should I do now…?

The gate is still closed and there are two guards in front. I also see several patrol demons.

The security is  tight.

After all, it’s impossible to break through the front.

I’ve been thinking about climbing the wall to avoid detection, but I think the frequency of patrols has increased since yesterday…I’m not sure if it’s because my skill was traced yesterday or if it’s because my own alertness has increased…

This is a problem…

It’s even more out of hand than it was before…